The virtualization layer is a core part of StorMan. It administers the storage resource descriptions (configuration data) specific for each storage product. The virtualization provides a single interface for different kinds of storage.
Repository
A repository is required for consistent administration of the mapped resource descriptions. StorMan uses its own internal repository.
Configuration data
Administration is divided into 2 layers:
Configuration layer
This layer handles the storage configuration. The StorMan administrator defines the StorMan managed storage pools containing a subset of volumes of a specific storage system. Further on these storage pools are just called pools to differentiate them from the notion of storage pools used internally by storage systems.
In its simplest form, each pool identified by its unique pool ID describes a complete storage system in the StorMan configuration (e.g. an ETERNUS DX/AF storage system identified by its serial number with a subset of volumes configured in this storage system). Each pool description contains general pool attributes and storage system- and volume-related attributes.
Dynamic layer
The storage volumes of a pool are represented by a unique storage identifier (storID). Their attributes and status of the provisioning are kept in the dynamic layer for each volume. These includes the LUN of the storage volume, its current size, currently connected servers, its harbouring pool, etc. The storage identifier is created during storage volume assignment to the pool and deleted after de-assignment.
An administration interface (WebUI) to configure and manage the Virtualization Layer's configuration data offers basic management functions (e.g. adding, removing, modifying and displaying pools and storage volumes). Storage provisioning information and replication functions are also available on the WebUI.
StorMan managed pools are configured based on the results of a discovery of one or more storage systems.